The Horvatin and Bailey families talk about the Carnival cruise they just returned home from Saturday in Lakeland. The Carnival Ecstasy ship was on the way to Cozumel, Mexico, when it altered course to pick up 41 individuals from Cuba. The ship then redirected to the Bahamas.

Published: Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 9:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 9:58 p.m.

LAKELAND | Two Lakeland families say they are grateful to be part of a cruise ship rescue of 41 Cubans who were stranded and sinking in the Florida Straits on Tuesday.

But after the rescue, they said, their spring break vacation plans fell apart when the cruise ship had to make an unexpected diversion.

The families — David and Jennifer Horvatin and Kevin and Caitlin Bailey — both planned to take their young children on a cruise to Mexico. They researched and found a four-day trip leaving from Miami on Monday with a port stop in Cozumel.

The Horvatins are both Polk County schoolteachers and the trip fit perfectly with their spring break.

So, the two couples packed their bags and the five children, ranging in age from 1˝ to 8, and set off for Miami, ready to board the Carnival Ecstasy.

But once on board and out at sea, an unexpected stop forced a change in their itinerary.

While en route to Cozumel ,the ship's captain spotted a small craft in distress, Carnival said in a news release.

The captain altered course and brought aboard 41 Cuban migrants. They were given food, water, fresh clothing and accommodations while being evaluated by the ship's medical team, Carnival said.

A few hours later, the people were transferred off the cruise ship and onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

"We are extremely proud of our officers and crew on the Carnival Ecstasy for keeping a sharp lookout on the bridge and coming to rescue of this group whose boat was sinking as well as providing them with care and assistance on board our ship," the news release states.

Jennifer Horvatin said there was an overwhelming amount of excitement on the ship when the captain announced they had rescued the people.

"Everybody on board was cheering," she said. "We were glad that we would help somebody out."

But the excitement turned to disappointment a few hours later when the captain announced the ship was turning around, she said.

Instead of continuing to Cozumel, where the Lakeland couples had plans to meet with other family members at a child-friendly beach, the ship turned east and made an unscheduled stop in Nassau, Bahamas.

"We had been to Nassau before and we said we would never go back," Kevin Bailey said.

The Baileys said many people on the ship were visibly upset about the itinerary change, especially when staff announced that Nassau wasn't safe. They were told to leave valuables on the ship and given a list of only a few "recommended" excursions — most of which were not child-friendly.

"We weren't prepared for that," Caitlin Bailey said. "It was double, if not triple the price for what we had planned in Mexico for what (excursions) Atlantis was offering."

She said many people on the ship were bombarding customer service representatives with questions and concerns. When the ship came back to Miami on Friday, Bailey said, she called Carnival and received little sympathy.

Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said via email that the course deviation "was beyond our control and we're pleased to rescue these folks who were in desperate need of help."

According to a Carnival email, the itinerary had to be changed because of the amount of time the rescue took.

But because the ship made a substitute stop in Nassau "no compensation was offered."

Both families said they are glad the Cubans were saved and they were able to be a part of that rescue.

However, they would appreciate compensation for the price differences, or at least an apology.

The Associated Press reported that the people rescued likely will be returned to Cuba. Cubans who make it to U.S. shores generally are allowed to stay under the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy, but Cubans stopped at sea usually are returned home.

<p>LAKELAND | Two Lakeland families say they are grateful to be part of a cruise ship rescue of 41 Cubans who were stranded and sinking in the Florida Straits on Tuesday.</p><p>But after the rescue, they said, their spring break vacation plans fell apart when the cruise ship had to make an unexpected diversion.</p><p>The families — David and Jennifer Horvatin and Kevin and Caitlin Bailey — both planned to take their young children on a cruise to Mexico. They researched and found a four-day trip leaving from Miami on Monday with a port stop in Cozumel.</p><p>The Horvatins are both Polk County schoolteachers and the trip fit perfectly with their spring break.</p><p>So, the two couples packed their bags and the five children, ranging in age from 1˝ to 8, and set off for Miami, ready to board the Carnival Ecstasy.</p><p>But once on board and out at sea, an unexpected stop forced a change in their itinerary. </p><p>While en route to Cozumel ,the ship's captain spotted a small craft in distress, Carnival said in a news release. </p><p>The captain altered course and brought aboard 41 Cuban migrants. They were given food, water, fresh clothing and accommodations while being evaluated by the ship's medical team, Carnival said. </p><p>A few hours later, the people were transferred off the cruise ship and onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. </p><p>"We are extremely proud of our officers and crew on the Carnival Ecstasy for keeping a sharp lookout on the bridge and coming to rescue of this group whose boat was sinking as well as providing them with care and assistance on board our ship," the news release states.</p><p>Jennifer Horvatin said there was an overwhelming amount of excitement on the ship when the captain announced they had rescued the people. </p><p>"Everybody on board was cheering," she said. "We were glad that we would help somebody out." </p><p>But the excitement turned to disappointment a few hours later when the captain announced the ship was turning around, she said.</p><p>Instead of continuing to Cozumel, where the Lakeland couples had plans to meet with other family members at a child-friendly beach, the ship turned east and made an unscheduled stop in Nassau, Bahamas.</p><p>"We had been to Nassau before and we said we would never go back," Kevin Bailey said.</p><p>The Baileys said many people on the ship were visibly upset about the itinerary change, especially when staff announced that Nassau wasn't safe. They were told to leave valuables on the ship and given a list of only a few "recommended" excursions — most of which were not child-friendly. </p><p>"We weren't prepared for that," Caitlin Bailey said. "It was double, if not triple the price for what we had planned in Mexico for what (excursions) Atlantis was offering." </p><p>She said many people on the ship were bombarding customer service representatives with questions and concerns. When the ship came back to Miami on Friday, Bailey said, she called Carnival and received little sympathy.</p><p>Jennifer Horvatin said they hardly even received an apology. </p><p>"We paid the extra money to go somewhere completely different," she said. "And that's what we expected."</p><p>Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said via email that the course deviation "was beyond our control and we're pleased to rescue these folks who were in desperate need of help." </p><p>According to a Carnival email, the itinerary had to be changed because of the amount of time the rescue took. </p><p>But because the ship made a substitute stop in Nassau "no compensation was offered."</p><p>Both families said they are glad the Cubans were saved and they were able to be a part of that rescue. </p><p>However, they would appreciate compensation for the price differences, or at least an apology. </p><p>The Associated Press reported that the people rescued likely will be returned to Cuba. Cubans who make it to U.S. shores generally are allowed to stay under the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy, but Cubans stopped at sea usually are returned home.</p>